Know Before You Go!

Angeles National Forest

USDA

USDA “Caring for the land and serving people” Visitor Guide “Caring for the land and serving people”

-8 Lead Story Headline [Niche: about the Angeles] See P. 2 Forest near urban LA comes with colorful history

For detailedinfo rec The Angeles National For- was complet- est [ has been around for more ed in 1908 than a century, changing and and is a developing along with the premiere WelcomeWelcome to the Angeles! to Southern culture. research sta- During its history, it has tion today. the Angeles! attracted countless numbers of Railroads campers, horseback riders, and dams adventurers, hunters and de- were con- The Angeles National For- est is in one of the most popu- velopers. structed lated and culturally diverse throughout areas in the nation. The Angeles began as the the forest. The forest is a scenic out- San Gabriel Timberland Re- There was door treasure, providing a serve on Dec. 20, 1892 the “Great Hiking Era” from ged mountains in the United postcard-like backdrop for the through an executive order the 1890s to 1930s. States. Los Angeles basin. signed by President Benjamin Harrison. It was the first na- The completion of Angeles Today, the Angeles Nation- To the millions of residents tional forest in California and Crest Highway in the 1950s al Forest provides more than who live within an hour’s the second in the nation. provided improved access to 70 percent of the open space drive and to visitors from all recreational areas. The forest in Los Angeles County, over the world, the Angeles The reserve was later has rebounded from floods, though 90 percent of the for- offers a thousand square miles changed to the Angeles Na- fires and mudslides. est land is steep and rugged. of open space and a variety of tional Forest in 1908. The San Gabriel Moun- Despite being bordered by recreation opportunities year Many changes have come tains, contained almost whol- freeways, the Angeles contin- round. throughout the decades. The ly within the forest, are some ues to maintain its unique Mount Wilson observatory of the steepest and most rug- character. In contrast to the nearby city, you’ll find yourself transported to natural environ- Did You Know…? Facts and Trivia about our beloved forest ments of oak thickets, chapar- ral, high desert landscapes, * When the forest began in tions pictures and TV shows. * The Angeles has about 463 pine woods, rivers, lakes, and 1908, the surrounding Los These include “The Fugitive,” recreational residences; 25 streams. Enjoy spectacular Angeles County had a popula- “Bonanza,” “Duel,” “Star picnic areas; 36 campgrounds; tion of 425,000 people, about Trek: First Contact” and five ski areas; 548 miles of scenery, campgrounds and picnic areas, swimming, fish- 4.3 percent of today's county “Mission Impossible 2.” trails; five wilderness areas ing, or quiet wilderness areas. population of 9.8 million. and 10 lakes and reservoirs. Discover trails winding * The Angeles has an Off through the forest for hikers, * Today the Angeles is rela- Highway Vehicle network of * The forest is next to one of equestrians, mountain bikers tively small in comparison to 270 designated miles and two the largest media centers in and off-highway enthusiasts. other forests, with 700,176 designated open areas. the nation and received 350 acres. It more than makes up media inquiries in 2010. The Angeles National For- for this by hosting 3.5 to 4 * The forest has 18 dams and est is YOUR great outdoors – million visitors annually. debris basins that support the * Mount Wilson Observatory to visit, to care for, and to… massive flood control system in the Angeles opened in Enjoy! * The Angeles has furnished protecting L.A. County resi- 1908 with a 60-inch telescope, locations for numerous mo- dents. then the largest in the world. Page 2 USDA

“Caring for the land and serving people” Visitor Guide

OFFICE LIST Angeles offers numero